Game and Method of Play

ABSTRACT

A game includes a gameboard having a top surface, a plurality of nodes extending below the top surface and being accessible from the top surface and defining a plurality of channels extending below the top surface and connecting the nodes. A plurality of tokens each of which includes a configuration that is positionable in each respective node and movable along each respective channels. Each node includes one of a magnet and a metal element. Each token includes the other of a magnet and metal element such that a token may be magnetically held in place over a selected node. The gameboard may be foldable between deployed and storage configurations. A token may be moved along the channels between nodes, the tokens being configured for movement in the channels but not for removal. Once positioned at a node, the token may be held magnetically until moved or removed therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates generally to toys and games and, more particularly, to a game for two players in which each player attempts to possess more nodes on a gameboard than the other player.

Games have in the past and continue to be popular sources of entertainment amongst families and friends. The best games seem to have an element of competition, strategy, and chance while enabling players who are skillful, clever, or observant to excel and win. In addition, popular games often have an element of simulated control over a defined territory or over opposing players.

Various games have been proposed in the art having tokens movable between nodes on a gameboard with a player having the goal of positioning three tokens on adjacent nodes and thus controlling sections of the gameboard relative to an opponent. Although assembly effective for their entertainment purposes, the existing games do not provide a structure for enabling tokens to be easily moved between nodes while still effectively retaining the tokens even if the gameboard is accidentally bumped or disturbed. Further, the existing games do not provide electronic or computer software embodiments.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a game in which players may move and position a plurality of tokens between and upon predetermined nodes on a gameboard in an attempt to position them in adjacent groups of three while also preventing an opponent from doing the same. Further, it would be desirable to have a game in which achieving desired linear groups of three tokens prevents another player from controlling nodes on the gameboard. In addition, it would be desirable to have a game in which tokens are easily movable between nodes of a gameboard yet that securely retains the position of said tokens if the gameboard is inadvertently disturbed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, a game according to the present invention includes a gameboard having a top surface, a plurality of nodes extending below the top surface and being accessible from the top surface and defining a plurality of channels extending below the top surface and connecting the nodes. The game also includes a plurality of tokens in which each respective token includes a configuration that is positionable in each respective node from adjacent the top surface and that is movable along each respective channel.

Each node includes one of a magnet and a metal element. Each token includes the other of a magnet and metal element such that a token may be magnetically held in place when positioned over a desired node. The gameboard may also be foldable between deployed and storage configurations. Accordingly, a token may be moved along the channels between nodes, the channels and tokens being configured to allow movement yet not allowing the token to be removed therefrom. Once positioned at a node, the token may be held there magnetically until proactively moved or removed therefrom.

A method of game play is also provided as will be further described in detail later. The game may be embodied in several forms, including a traditional gameboard, a travel version, and various electronic forms.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a game for two players in which each player attempts to control selected nodes in linear groups of three nodes and thus eliminating possible nodes able to be controlled by the other player.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game, as aforesaid, that promotes strategy and competition.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a game, as aforesaid, having a plurality of tokens that are individually movable along channels of a gameboard between spaced apart nodes.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a game, as aforesaid, in which a player may eliminate another player's tokens by aligning his own tokens on nodes in linear succession of three nodes.

A further object of this invention is to provide a game, as aforesaid, that may be moved between deployed and storage configurations.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a game, as aforesaid, that may be embodied in an electronic form.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gameboard for a game according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is top view of the gameboard as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 2C;

FIG. 3A is another perspective view of the gameboard according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a token as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a perspective view from a lower elevation angle of a token as in FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a game according to another embodiment of the present invention shown in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 5B is another perspective view of the game as in FIG. 5 a shown in a storage configuration;

FIG. 6A is an exploded view from another angle of the game as in FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6B is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a front view of a game implemented electronically according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is an illustration of the electronic embodiment implemented with a personal computer; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate graphic representations of gameboards according to the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A game 100 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4B of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, a game 100 according to the current invention includes a gameboard 110 and a plurality of tokens 130.

The gameboard 110 has a top surface 112, a plurality of nodes 114 extending below the top surface 112, and a plurality of channels 116 extending below the top surface and connecting the nodes 114. The nodes 114 are accessible from the top surface 112, and all of the nodes 114 may have a generally constant diameter. In other words, each node diameter may be generally equal to each other node diameter.

The channels 116 may be flared beneath the gameboard top surface 112. More particularly, as shown in FIGS. 2C, 6B, and 6C, each channel 116 may have an upper portion 116 a and a lower portion 116 b, where the upper portion 116 a is between the lower portion 116 b and the gameboard top surface 112. A diameter of each channel upper portion 116 a may be less than a diameter of each channel lower portion 116 b. The diameter of each channel upper portion 116 a may be generally equal to the diameter of each other channel upper portion 116 a, or in other words, all of the channel upper portions 116 a may have a generally constant diameter. The diameter of each channel lower portion 116 b may be generally equal to the diameter of each other channel lower portion 116 b, or in other words, all of the channel lower portions 116 b may have a generally constant diameter.

The diameter of each channel lower portion 116 b may be generally equal to the diameter of each of the nodes 114. As shown in FIG. 6 c, each channel upper portion 116 a has a depth d1, and each channel lower portion 116 b has a depth d2. The depth of each channel upper portion 116 a may be generally equal to the depth of each other channel upper portion 116 a, and the depth of each channel lower portion 116 b may be generally equal to the depth of each other channel lower portion 116 b.

Each token 130 has a configuration 130 a that is positionable in each respective node 114 from adjacent the top surface 112 and that is movable along each respective channel 116, as shown in FIG. 3 b. As shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, each token 130 includes a lower end 131 that may be flared so that the tokens 130 are slidable along the channels 116 and only removable from the channels 116 at the nodes 114. More particularly, each token 130 may include adjacent first and second portions 132, 134. To correspond to the gameboard 110, each token first portion 132 may have a height h1 that is less than the depth d2 of the channel lower portion 116 b, and each token second portion 134 may have a height h2 that, when combined with the height h1 of the token first portion 132, is greater than the depth d2 of the channel lower portion 116 b combined with the depth d1 of the channel upper portion 116 a. In other words, the height h2 of each token second portion 134 may be sufficient to extend past the top surface 112 of the gameboard 110 when the respective token first portion 132 is positioned in a respective node 114 or channel 116. Each token first portion 132 may have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the channel upper portion 116 a and that is less than the diameter of the channel lower portion 116 b so that the tokens 130 are slidable along the respective channels 116 to the nodes 114.

As shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, each token 130 may have a third portion 136 that is adjacent the respective second portion 134 and that extends away from the respective first portion 132. Each third portion 136 may have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of the channel upper portion 116 a to sandwich the gameboard 110 between the respective first and third token portions 132, 136 when the tokens 130 are positioned in respective channels 116. Each token 130 may additionally or alternately have an indicia portion 138 operatively coupled to the respective token second portion 134 and extending away from the respective first portion 132. The indicia portions 138 may include, for example, color or symbol indicia, and a first lot of the tokens 130 may include first indicia while a second lot of the tokens 130 may include second indicia. The first indicia may be different from the second indicia. For example, the first lot of the tokens 130 may have one color or symbol while the second lot of the tokens 130 may have another color or symbol. As shown in FIGS. 2C and 4B, each node 114 may include a magnet 119 and each token 130 may include a metal element 139 (or each node 114 may include a metal element 139 while each token may include a magnet 119) to selectively couple the tokens 130 to the nodes 114.

While the gameboard 110 may have different configurations in accordance with the current invention, in one currently preferred configuration the channels 116 define and connect concentric rectangles 140. More particularly, the channels 116 define three concentric rectangles 140 and connect the nodes 114 to form twenty linear segments 142, with each linear segment 142 (including each respective rectangle side) having three nodes 114 (FIG. 2A). As such, eight nodes 114 are spaced along each rectangle 140, and twenty-four nodes 114 appear on the gameboard 110.

In use, the gameboard 110 and the tokens 130 described above (including the first lot having first indicia and the second lot having second indicia) may be provided. A first player may place a respective token 130 having first indicia inside a respective node 114, a second player may place another respective token 130 having second indicia inside another respective node 114, and the players may alternate until all of the tokens 130 are inside the nodes 114. The first player may then move a respective token 130 having first indicia from one node 114 to another node 114 by sliding the token 130 along the channel 116, the second player may move a respective token 130 having second indicia from one node 114 to another node 114 by sliding the token 130 along the channel 116, and the players may alternate moving tokens 130 in this fashion. In moving the tokens 130, the first player may try to position three of the tokens 130 having first indicia in all three nodes 114 of any of the twenty linear segments 142, and the second player may also try to position three of the tokens 130 having second indicia in all three nodes 114 of any of the twenty linear segments 142. When a player positions three of his tokens in a linear segment as described above, he declares “Weblock” and is entitled to take an action as described below.

The first player may remove a respective token 130 having second indicia from the gameboard 110 when the first player positions three of the tokens 130 having first indicia in all three nodes 114 of any of the twenty linear segments 142, (i.e. establishes a “weblock”) and the second player may remove a respective token 130 having first indicia from the gameboard 110 when the second player positions three of the tokens 130 having second indicia in all three nodes 114 of any of the twenty linear segments 142. Once a player removes a predetermined amount of the tokens 130 from the gameboard 110, he may be determined to have won.

A gameboard 210 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 5A through 6 c and includes a construction substantially similar to the construction previously described except as specifically noted below. More particularly, the gameboard 210 is foldable between deployed (FIG. 5A) and storage (FIG. 5B) configurations, and the gameboard 210 includes a holding area 215 (FIG. 6A) for selectively storing the plurality of tokens 130. In this embodiment, the method of use is substantially similar to that set forth above, except the method further comprises the step of unfolding the gameboard 110 from the storage configuration (FIG. 5B) to the deployed configuration (FIG. 5A) before any of the tokens 130 are placed inside any of the nodes 114.

A game 300 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7A through 8B and includes a construction substantially similar to the construction previously described except as specifically noted below. More particularly, the game 300 is electronic, and the method of use set forth above is performed electronically (i.e., on a cellular phone 302 as shown in FIG. 7A or a personal computer 304 as shown in FIG. 7B). As such, a gameboard 310 does not include nodes 114 or channels 116 that have actual depth or portions as described above, and the tokens similarly do not include actual height or portions as described above. However, the gameboard 110 and the tokens 130 described above may be graphically represented.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof. 

1. A game, comprising: a gameboard having a top surface, a plurality of nodes extending below said top surface and being accessible from said top surface, and a plurality of channels extending below said top surface and connecting said nodes; and a plurality of tokens, each respective token having a configuration that is positionable in each respective node from adjacent said top surface and that is movable along each respective channel.
 2. The game of claim 1, wherein: each said channel has an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper portion being between said lower portion and said gameboard top surface; each said channel upper portion has a diameter; each said channel lower portion has a diameter; and said channel upper portion diameter is less than said channel lower portion diameter.
 3. The game of claim 2, wherein: each said channel upper portion has a depth; each said channel upper portion depth is generally equal to each other said channel upper portion depth; each said channel lower portion has a depth; each said channel lower portion depth is generally equal to each other said channel lower portion depth; each said channel upper portion diameter is generally equal to each other said channel upper portion diameter; and each said channel lower portion diameter is generally equal to each other said channel lower portion diameter.
 4. The game of claim 3, wherein: each said node has a diameter; and each said node diameter is generally equal to each other said node diameter.
 5. The game of claim 4, wherein each said node diameter is generally equal to each said channel lower portion diameter.
 6. The game of claim 3, wherein: each said token has adjacent first and second portions; each said token first portion has a height that is less than said channel lower portion depth; each said token first portion has a diameter that is greater than said channel upper portion diameter and that is less than said channel lower portion diameter; and each said token second portion has a height, said token second portion height and said token first portion height collectively being greater than the channel lower portion depth combined with the channel upper portion depth.
 7. The game of claim 6, wherein each said token has a third portion adjacent said second portion and extending away from said first portion, each said third portion having a diameter that is greater than said channel upper portion diameter.
 8. The game of claim 6, wherein each said token has an indicia portion operatively coupled to said second portion and extending away from said first portion.
 9. The game of claim 6, wherein: each said node has a diameter; each said node diameter is generally equal to each other said node diameter; and each said node diameter is generally equal to each said channel lower portion diameter so each respective token first and second portions are receivable in a respective node and slidable along a respective channel to another said node.
 10. The game of claim 1, wherein: each said node includes one of a magnet and a metal element; and each said token includes another of said magnet and said metal element, whereby said magnets and said metal elements selectively couple said tokens to said nodes.
 11. The game of claim 1, wherein: each said channel is flared beneath said gameboard top surface; each said token includes a lower end; and each said token lower end is flared so that said tokens are slidable along said channels and only removable from said channels at said nodes.
 12. The game of claim 1, wherein: said gameboard is foldable between deployed and storage configurations; and said gameboard includes a holding area for selectively storing said plurality of tokens.
 13. The game of claim 1, wherein said channels define and connect concentric rectangles.
 14. The game of claim 1, wherein: said channels define three concentric rectangles; eight said nodes are spaced apart along each said rectangle so that each side of a respective rectangle has three said nodes; and said channels connect said nodes to form twenty linear segments each having three said nodes.
 15. The game of claim 1, wherein a first lot of said tokens include first indicia and a second lot of said tokens include second indicia, said second indicia being different from said first indicia.
 16. A method of playing a game, said method comprising the steps of: providing a gameboard having a top surface, a plurality of nodes extending below said top surface and being accessible from said top surface, and a plurality of channels extending below said top surface and connecting said nodes; each said channel being flared beneath said gameboard top surface; said channels defining three concentric rectangles; eight said nodes being spaced along each said rectangle so that each side of a respective rectangle has three said nodes; said channels connecting said nodes to form twenty linear segments each having three said nodes; providing a plurality of tokens, each respective token having a configuration that is positionable in each respective node from adjacent said top surface and that is movable along each respective channel, each said token having a flared lower end that is slidable along said channels and only removable from said channels at said nodes, a first lot of said tokens including first indicia and a second lot of said tokens including second indicia; alternatingly, having a first player place a respective said token having first indicia inside a respective said node and having a second player place a respective said token having second indicia inside another said node until all of said tokens are inside said nodes; alternatingly, having said first player move a respective said token having first indicia from one said node to another said node by sliding said token along said channel and having said second player move a respective said token having second indicia from one said node to another said node by sliding said token along said channel, said first player trying to position three said tokens having first indicia in all three said nodes of any of said twenty linear segments, said second player trying to position three said tokens having second indicia in all three said nodes of any of said twenty linear segments; having said first player remove a respective said token having second indicia from said gameboard when said first player positions three said tokens having first indicia in all three said nodes of any of said twenty linear segments; having said second player remove a respective said token having first indicia from said gameboard when said second player positions three said tokens having second indicia in all three said nodes of any of said twenty linear segments; and determining said player that removes a predetermined amount of said tokens from said gameboard to be the winner.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of unfolding said gameboard from a storage configuration to a deployed configuration before any said token is placed inside any said node.
 18. A method of playing a game, said method comprising the steps of: providing a gameboard having: twenty linear segments defining and connecting three concentric rectangles; and eight nodes spaced along each said rectangle so that each side of a respective rectangle has three said nodes and so that each of said twenty linear segments has three said nodes; providing a plurality of tokens for selectively associating with said nodes, a first lot of said tokens including first indicia and a second lot of said tokens including second indicia; alternatingly, having a first player associate a respective said token having first indicia with a respective said node and having a second player associate a respective said token having second indicia with another said node until all of said tokens are associated with said nodes; alternatingly, having said first player move a respective said token having first indicia from one said node to another said node and having said second player move a respective said token having second indicia from one said node to another said node, said first player trying to position three said tokens having first indicia in all three said nodes of any of said twenty linear segments, said second player trying to position three said tokens having second indicia in all three said nodes of any of said twenty linear segments; having said first player remove a respective said token having second indicia from said gameboard when said first player associates three said tokens having first indicia with all three said nodes of any of said twenty linear segments; having said second player remove a respective said token having first indicia from said gameboard when said second player associates three said tokens having second indicia with all three said nodes of any of said twenty linear segments; and determining said player that removes a predetermined amount of said tokens from said gameboard to have won.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein all said steps are performed electronically.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein: said gameboard has a top surface; each said node extends below said top surface and is accessible from said top surface; each said linear segment is a channel extending below said top surface; each said channel is flared beneath said gameboard top surface; each respective token has a configuration that is positionable in each respective node from adjacent said top surface and that is movable along each respective channel; and each said token has a flared lower end that is slidable along said channels and only removable from said channels at said nodes. 